Know What Fish Species can Be Found In Local Lakes and Rivers

Crystal Atamian — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 20:33:12 +0000

There are lots of different species of fish to be found in waterways close to major Inland Northwest cities, including Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and Sandpoint. Here is what you can expect to catch on your rod.

Spokane

Expect to find lots of rainbow trout when fishing the turnouts downstream of Tumtum, as well as smallmouth bass, black crappie, and yellow perch. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) also encourages northern pike harvest. In Lake Spokane (aka Long Lake), year-round statewide rules apply.

Because of contaminants and to protect redband trout, the Spokane River from Nine Mile Dam to Idaho is now one section with one set of regulations. There are selective gear rules, no bait, barbless hooks, and you can keep two hatchery rainbow trout per day; everything else is catch and release.

Washington and Idaho’s Department of Health recommend checking fish advisories. In some areas it may mean limiting certain types of fish eaten or not eating fish at all.

Catching (to release) a prized redband trout. // Photo: Sean Visintainer, Silver Bow Fly Shop.

Coeur d’Alene

Fernan Lake, near Coeur d’Alene, is open for fishing all year. You can find bluegill/pumpkinseed/sunfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass (in shallow, warm water April-May, moving out to deeper water in summer), catfish, yellow perch, rainbow and brook trout, and white crappie.

Sandpoint

Look for largemouth bass, catfish, white crappie, yellow perch as well as rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout at Cocolalla Lake. Round Lake has bluegill/pumpkinseed/sunfish, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, brook and rainbow trout. Unique to Shepherd Lake is tiger muskie, but you’ll also find largemouth bass, bluegill/pumpkinseed/sunfish, and yellow perch.

For all three lakes there are bag limits and restrictions for certain species.

Originally published as “Fish Found Near Your Front Door” in the May-June 2021 issue as a sidebar for “Fishing Close to Home” feature story.

Black Crappie caught at Lake Spokane. // Photo: Randy Osborne

[Feature photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – rainbow trout.]

Know Local Fishing Regulations Before You Go

Crystal Atamian — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 02:35:14 +0000

Washington: The Fish Washington app provides up-to-date fishing regs to carry with you; make sure to check the special rules for each water body. Be aware of land ownership where you’re planning to fish.

Idaho: Andy Dux, regional fishery manager for Idaho Fish and Game, highly recommends using the Idaho Fish Planner website before you go. It offers easy access to fishing rules, facilities, what species you’re likely to find, a map and directions, as well as the stocking record for that water body. At the bottom of the page is a link to buy your license online if needed.

Montana: The state’s Fish, Wildlife, and Parks department also has online resources.

Zach McCall fishing at Rock Lake. // Photo courtesy Zach McCall (left); Cutthroat trout from the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. // Photo courtesy Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce; Father-daughter fly fishing on the North Fork (upper middle). // Photo: Amy McCaffree (lower middle); Sean Visintainer, owner of Silver Bow Fly Shop, with a redband trout from the Spokane River. // Photo courtesy Michael Visintainer.